Article of wear for applying a stress on the wearer



J. D. GATTS 3,411,500

ARTICLE OF WEAR FOR APPLYING A STRESS ON THE WEARER Nov. 19, 1968 2sheets-sheet 1 Filed April 30, 1965 V INVENTOR. I James 2. Gain-ATTOR/Vf/ Nov. 19, 1968 3,411,500

ARTICLE OF WEAR FOR APPLYING A STRESS ON THE WEARER J. D. GATTS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 50, 1965 INVENTOR. James a. Gazzs ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,411,500 ARTICLE OF WEAR FOR APPLYING A STRESS ONTHE WEARER James David Gatts, 16 Lake Shore Blvd., Massapequa, N-Y.11758 Filed Apr. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 452,204 11 Claims. (Cl. 128-68) Thepresent invention relates to devices or articles which are adapted to beworn and which, when worn, provide the body of the wearer withpredetermined stresses which must be opposed.

Under certain conditions, it is highly desirable to stress the bodyartificially so as to maintain at least part of the body in apredetermined condition. For example, a body in space or under certainspace-simulating conditions is in a state referred to as weightlessness.Prolonged periods of weightlessness result in a lack of resistance tothe muscles and bones, which is very unnatural and which, if experiencedfor prolonged periods, results in deterioration of the musculoskeletaland cardiovascular system of the body. Much the same results areencountered during relatively long periods of bed rest when the musclesof the body as well as the bones thereo f do not encounter the usualresistance to which they are subjected during normal activities.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a devicewhich is capable of adding compressional force to the gravity resistantIbony and muscular framework of the body in such a way as to substitutefor or amplify the normal weight or acceleration which the bodyperceives in a normal environment or when subjected to a force of 1 g.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device in the form of asuitable harness or article of wear which can easily be slipped on orremoved and which, when worn, assures proper stressing of the body tomaintain its tone.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a structure ofthe above type which is easy to adjust so that the forces derived fromthe structure of the invention can be regulated.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide an article ofthe above type which can easily be adjusted to accommodate people ofdiiferent sizes.

Also, the objects of the present invention include the provision ofharness which will simulate the acceleration of gravity while at thesame time being very comfortable to wear.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a harnessstructure ofthe above type which is quite simple and inexpensive.

Also, the objects of the present invention include the provision of astructure which can produce localized stress effects on predeterminedparts of the body, depending uponjthe stressing desired and/or theposition taken by the user of the device.

Other and further objects of this invention reside in the structures andarrangements hereinafter more fully described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is afront view of a harness according to the invention,illustrated while it is worn,

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the harness of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the harness showing the user thereof in aseated condition.

Referring to FIG. 1, the harness or article of wear is generallyidentified by the numeral 10 and is adapted to be worn by anyindividual, male or female, and is not to be limited in scope by theillustration of the male figure 12 in the drawing. The harness 10includes a Patented Nov. 19, 1968 pelvic unit 14 to which is operativelyconnected a torsocompressing means, generally identified by the numeral16, for longitudinally compressing the torso as well as a legcompressing means, generally identified by the numeral 18, forlongitudinally compressing the legs of the wearer.

The harness or article 10 illustrated in the figures of the drawing isshown applied to the body of a male astronaut for the purpose ofsimulating the acceleration of gravity. Thus, the details illustrate thebasic concept of the invention stripped bare of any covering suit orcoverall to which the same may be sewn or otherwise connected. However,as the description proceeds, it will become clear to those skilled inthe art that the article 10 may be a decorative garment in which thepelvic unit 14 is incorporated to be positioned about the waist of thepelvic area, thus permitting the garment to be made as any ordinarysuit, jumper or coverall.

When worn by an astronaut, the pelvic unit 14 is adapted to bepositioned on, about or in the vicinity of the pelvic area, as isapparent from FIG. 1. The pelvic unit 14 includes a pelvic belt 20 whichis worn surrounding the waist of the wearer. The pelvic belt 20 has asuitable buckle and is adjustable so it can be adapted to fit people ofdifferent sizes. The pelvic unit 14 further includes pelvic stirruploops 22 which extend around the legs of the wearer at the pelvicregion. Each of the loops 22 has-an end 24 fixed directly to the belt20, and from its fixed end 24 each loop 22 extends around the rear upperleg portion, as indicated in FIG. 2, and then along the front upper legportion at the pelvic area, the pair of loops 22 passing between thelegs in the manner indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

At the region of its end 24, each loop 22 includes a buckle-carryingportion 26 which carries a buckle 28 to which the free end of the loop22 is adapted to be connected in the manner shown in FIG. 1, so that inthis Way the size of the loops 22 can be adjusted to the particularindividual. The ends 24 of the loops 22, which may be made of anysuitable webbing, can be fastened to the belt 20, which also can be madeof any suitable webbing, by being sewn thereto, and, of course, thebuckle-carrying elements 26 can also be sewn to the loops 22 in theregion of their ends 24.

It will be noted that in this way the pelvic unit 14 is very securelymounted on the wearer. The loops 22 will coact with the belt 20 toresist upward movement of the latter while the belt 20 cooperates withthe loops 22 to resist downward movement of the loops. In this way, thepelvic unit is held and supported to reliably remain at its properposition on or about, and in the vicinity of the pelvic area. Becausethe rest of the harness structure shown in the drawing is connecteddirectly to the pelvic unit, all of the structure remains properlypositioned at the desired location on the wearer.

The means 16 for longitudinally compressing the torso includes a pair ofelongated stretchable elastic torso tensors 30 which are respectivelyconnected to front portions of the belt 20 in the manner shown inFIG. 1. These elongated stretchable torso tensors 30 can take the formof any elasticized fabric or the like, which is strong but stretchable,or, if preferred, simple metal springs may be used. The elasticstretchable torso tensors 30 are connected at their bottom ends to webs32 which are, in turn, fastened to the belt 20. At their top ends, thetorso tensors 30 are connected to additional webs 34 which are fastenedto a shoulder pad 36 formed with an opening 37 through which the headand neck of the wearer project in the manner shown in FIG. 1. Theelastic torso tensors 30 may be in the form of elongated stretchablebands which are looped through openings of the webs 32 and 34 or throughmetal loops carried thereby. One of the free ends of the elastic tensorsis connected with slidable fittings 38 or the like capable of beingshifted along the tensors for adjusting the extent to which they aretensioned.

The manner in which the pad 36 appear at the rear is indicated mostclearly in FIG. 2 which also shows the rear of the belt 20. A pair ofshoulder straps 40, made of any suitable webbing, are connected at theirlower front ends, visible in FIG. 1, to the belt in any suitable way,as, for example, by way of the springs of or eyes 42. These shoulderstraps 40 cross over each other, pass beneath the loops 44 carried bythe shoulder pad 36, and then pass over the shoulders of the individual12. They again cross each other at the back of the individual beforereaching the belt 20 where the rear ends of the shoulder straps arefixed to the belt in the manner indicated in FIG. 2. Therefore, theseshoulder straps 40 limit the extent to which the torso tensors can betensioned during straightening up of the torso, inasmuch as thesubstantially nonstretchable shoulder straps will only permit a certainamount of stretching of the tensors 30 to take place. Thus, these straps40 will also limit downward movement of the belt 20 with respect to theshoulders of the individual 12.

The leg compressing means 18 includes a plurality of straps fixed to andextending downwardly from the belt 20 and terminating in free endssituated at the inner and outer sides of the legs of the individual 12.These latter straps are arranged in four pairs. Thus, one pair of strapsa and 50b (FIGS. 1 and 2) terminate at the outer side of the right leg,while a second pair of straps 52a and 52b are respectively situated atthe front and rear and terminate at the inner side of the right leg ofthe individual 12. In much the same way, a pair of straps 54a and 54bare respectively fixed to the belt 20 adjacent the left side of thewearer and extend downwardly from the belt 20 to terminate in free endssituated at the outer side of the left leg of the individual 12.

Finally, a pair of straps 56a and 56b are fixed to the belt 20, also atthe left side of the wearer, and terminate along the inner side of theleft leg. It is to be noted that the right front straps 50a and 52a areconnected to the belt 20 at the same location, and the left front straps54a and 56a are also connected to the left side of the belt 20 at thesame location, this reference to the right and left being with respectto the individual 12. In the same way, it is to be noted from FIG. 2that the straps 50b and 52b are connected to the same location at theright rear of the individual, and the pair of straps 54b and 56b areconnected to each other at the same location of the belt 20 adjacent theleft side of the individual 12.

The harness 10 further includes holding or positioning means 60 in theform of a pair of foot stirrups which surround the instep of the wearer.These foot stirrups 60 can simply take the form of loops made of webbingalong the bottom and elasticized over the top so that they can slip ontothe feet in the manner indicated in FIG. 1. When the harness 10 isformed as an integral part of a garment article, the holding orpositioning means may take the form of elasticized cuffs that willsnugly engage about the ankle or cuff of the wearer to serve as a lowerpart anchor or support for the compressing or stressing means 18.Additional straps 62 project upwardly from the stirrups in the mannerindicated in FIG. 1, and these four straps '62 terminate at their upperends in loops which are connected to four leg tensors 64 in the form' ofelongated stretchable elastic elements made of any'suitable elasticwebbing, springs, or the like.

In the illustrated example, each tensor 64 has a pair of elongatedstretchable elements connected at one end by a pin on which a strap 62is looped and at their opposite end by a pin to which a pair of theinterconnected straps, extending downwardly from the belt 20, areconnected in the manner shown in the drawing. Thus, it will be seen thatthe pair of straps 50a and 50b are connected to the leg tensors 64 shownat the left in FIG. 1, these tensors extending along the outer side ofthe right leg, and in the same way the straps 52a and 52b are connectedto the tensor 64 which extends along the inner side of the right leg,and so on.

The free ends of the pair of straps 50a and 50b, in addition to beingconnected to the leg tensor assembly 64 situated at the outer side ofthe right leg of the individual 12, are also connected to a leg tensorstabilizing belt 66 which surrounds and is buckled on the upper leg ofthe wearer in the manner shown in FIG. 1. This stabilizing belt 66 isalso fixed to the free ends of the straps 52a and and 52b which areconnected to the upper end of the tensor 64 which extends along theinner side of the right leg of the individual 12, so that thisstabilizing belt when positioned onto the leg by way of its buckle willstabilize the location of the tensors with respect to the leg alongwhich they extend. In the same way a stabilizing belt 68 is provided forthe left leg of the individual 12, this belt 68 being fixed to the freeends of the remaining pairs of straps which are connected to the topends of the leg tensors which respectively extend along the inner andouter sides of the left leg of the wearer.

It is a simple matter to place the harness of the invention on the bodyand to remove it. With the belt 20 unbuckled as well as with the pelvicstirrup loops 22 unbuckled, the shoulder pad 36 can be slipped over thehead of the wearer. After the belt 20 is buckled, the pelvic stirruploops 22 can be buckled and then the wearer can slip his feet into thefoot stirrups 60 and buckle the leg tensor stabilizing belts 66 and 68.The structure can be removed through the reverse of these operations ina very quick and easy manner. The sliders 38 can he slipped along thetorso tensors 30 to adjust the tension thereof, and in the same way thewebs 62 have sliders 70 which can he slipped therealong in a well knownmanner to adjust the tension in the tensors 64.

While the invention has been described as taking the form of a harnesscomposed of various belts and buckles, straps, pads, stirrups, and thelike, it is to be understood that the harness of the invention can takemany other forms. For example, the harness may include a simple pair oftrousers which has tensor elements in the form of elastic side seamsextending along the inner and outer trouser legs. With such aconstruction, the bottom ends of the trouser legs can be held to thefoot of the wearer by ankle or leg engaging cuffs or by the use of anysuitable web passing beneath the sole of the foot, so that with thisconstruction also longitudinal compression of the legs can be achieved.In the same way, an upper garment may be provided to longitudinallycompress the torso, and it is also possible to provide sleeves ofgarments with longitudinally extending elastic elements for applying alongitudinal compressive force on the arms between the wrist andshoulders.

Also, it is possible to incorporate other devices into the structure orto use such other devices with the structure. For example, theindividual 12 is shown wearing known venous back pressure cuffs 72.

Thus, in actual practice, it has been found that when the structure ofthe invention is worn by a person subjected to a condition ofweightlessness or rest, it can subject the wearer to a simulation of thenormal acceleration of gravity by applying its force constantly alongthe longitudinal axis of the human body. The compressional force isapplied to the body in units which act independently as well as inunison depending upon the position or posture of the body at any givenmoment. For example, in the position of the individual 12 shown in FIGS.1 and 2, it is quite clear that the upper torso-compressing meanscompresses the torso longitudinally While the leg-compressing means 18compresses the legs longitudinally, so that these two units actsimultaneously to longitudinally compress the body.

However, if the wearer assumes a seated position as indicated in FIG. 3,the longitudinal compression of the legs may be eliminated, as indicatedin FIG. 3, while the longitudinal compression of the torso ismaintained, so that either one of the body-compressing units may operateindependently of the other. If desired, the length of each compressionunit may be further divided into smaller parts to apply constantstresses and compression forces to preselected portions of the body ofthe wearer. Thus, in the case of the compression unit 18, additionalstabilizer supports may be provided to surround the knees. These willenable the leg tensors to be divided into shorter lengths, each of whichmay stress separate parts of the body from the pelvic or waist area tothe extreme ends of the feet. Hence, even during the sitting position ofFIG. 3, the wearer will be subjected to compressive forces that willmotivate his muscles and skeletal structures.

The structure of the invention adds a compression force to the gravityresistant bony and muscular framework of the body so as to amplify thenormal weight or acceleration in which the body perceives in a l genvironment. The upper unit of the structure applies the force from theshoulders to the pelvis, while the lower unit applies it from the pelvisto the feet. The above-described basic mechanism of the invention may bevaried by including a circumferential glove-like tensor supportingdevice around the bony thorax necessitating increased muscular work toexpand the chest and incorporating the leg tensor stabilizing deviceinto a pair of trousers, coveralls, or the like, as indicated above.Also, other straps may be located on the lower limbs. In addition, theleg tensor pressure may be used to actuate the venous constricting cuffs72 about the thighs in a cyclic fashion. These cuffs 72, which are perse well known, may be made of elastic and are designed in such a manneras to exert a constant pressure despite variations in the crosssectional area of the upper thigh.

The harness of the invention was tested during two weeks of complete bedrest by a man who wore the harness, with pre and post bed restphysiological and biochemical testing. The test results indicate thestructure of the invention has pronounced effectiveness in:

(1) Reducing loss of muscular mass and strength due to a loss ofgravitational stress along the longitudinal axis of the body fromconditions such as bed rest or weightlessness.

(2) Reducing urinary excretion of bony calcium salts due to loss ofnormal compression stress along the weight supporting skeleton of thebody.

1 (g) Maintaining the veni constrictor reflex in the lower (4) Reducingloss of cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary reserve due to the relativeimmobilization of bed rest or the loss of the exercise of supporting thebody against the acceleration of gravity in a 1 g environment.

(5) Reducing the fatigue, backache, decreased metabolic rate, boredom,and depression associated with bed rest.

In consequence, the present article may be employed to maintainmusculoskeletal and cardiovascular conditioning where gravitationalacceleration or forces to which the wearer is subjected is at a levelless than 1 g and.

musculoskeletal structures of the body resulting in 7 strengthening suchstructures and increasing cardiopulmonary reserve capacity. It may beused as an exerciser by incorporation into a lightweight under or overgarment that will allow the wearer to be subjected to constant stresseson the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, thereby constantlyexercising such systems during periods of wear, which can beaccomplished during the performance of most daily activities.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferredembodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrates and in its operation may be made by those skilled in theart, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is theintention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. An article for simulating gravitational mass loadings on the bodycomprising a pelvic unit adapted to be worn on the pelvic area, andmeans operatively connected to such pelvic unit and adapted to beapplied to a portion of the body of the wearer to apply a constantlongitudinal compressive force to the applied portion of the body of thewearer between the pelvic unit and said means connected thereto,

and wherein said pelvic unit includes a pelvic belt adapted tocompletely encircle the waist and leg means connected at each end ofsaid belt and extending therefrom about a respective one of the legs ofthe wearer,

said belt resisting longitudinal downward movement of said leg means andsaid leg means resisting longitudinal upward movement of said belt tostabilize said pelvic unit about the pelvic area.

2. An article for simulating gravitational mass load ings on the bodycomprising a pelvic unit adapted to be worn on the pelvic area, saidpelvic unit including a pelvic belt adapted to completely encircle thewaist,

a shoulder unit adapted to be received about the shoulders of thewearer,

elongated spring means extending from said belt to said shoulder unit,

said spring means being under tension for compressing the torsolongitudinally,

and leg means, one about each of the legs and connected with the saidpelvic belt,

said leg means resisting the upward movement of the spring means andsaid belt resisting the downward movement of said leg means to stabilizethe pelvic unit on the pelvic area.

3. An article for simulating gravitational mass loadings on the bodycomprising as recited in claim 2,

and wherein Said elongated spring means includes a pair of elongatedtorso tensor elements which are elastically stretchable and which areconnected at one end to said pelvic belt.

4. An article as recited in claim 3,

and wherein said shoulder unit includes a shoulder pad situated beneathand connected with said torso tensors.

5. An article for simulating gravitational mass loadings on the bodycomprising a pelvic unit adapted to be worn about the pelvic area,

said pelvic unit including a belt adapted to completely encircle thewaist, a shoulder unit adapted to be received about the shoulders,

stretchable means connected to said pelvic belt and extending therefromto said shoulder unit for applying a longitudinal compressive force tothe torso,

a pair of elongated stretchable means connected at one end to saidpelvic belt and respectively extending therefrom along the legs of thewearer,

said pair of stretchable means having means to position the same alongthe sides of the legs of the wearer to apply a tension between saidpelvic unit and said positioning means, and means to stabilize thepelvic unit, one about each of the legs and connected with 7 said beltto resist the longitudinal upward movement of the stretchable meansbetween said belt and shoulders while the pelvic belt resists thedownward movement of the stretchable means between the pelvic belt andlegs. 6. An article for simulating gravitational mass loadings on thebody comprising a pelvic unit adapted to be worn on the pelvic area, andtwo sets of elongated stretchable elastic means connected at one end tosaid pelvic unit and respeca pelvic belt adapted to be worn around theWaist,

a shoulder pad spaced from said belt and adapted to rest on theshoulders,

a pair of stretchable torso tensors respectively extending from saidbelt to said pad and being under tension when worn so as tolongitudinally compress the torso,

a plurality of straps extending from said belt downwardly therefrom andhaving free ends respectively situated along the inner sides and outersides of the tively extending therefrom along the sides of the 10 legs,legs to the feet of the wearer, a pair of foot stirrup means adapted tobe worn on the said sets of elastic means being respectively connectedfeet and spaced from said free ends of said straps, with the feet andbeing under tension for longituand a plurality of leg tensors connectedto said foot dinally compressing the legs of the wearer, said pelstirrupmeans and said free ends of said straps, vic unit including a belt toencircle the waist to resaid leg tensors respectively extending alongthe inner sist downward movement of the pelvic unit, and leg sides andouter sides of the legs and being under tenmeans connected with saidbelt to resist upward sion at least when the wearer is standing, so asto movement of the pelvic unit. longitudinally compress the legs andmeans about 7. An article of wear for applying a stress on the each ofthe legs and connected with said belt wherewearer as recited in claim 6,by the belt and the leg means stabilize said article and wherein astabilizing means is connected with a on the body.

respective one of said sets of elastic means and sur- 11. An article asrecited in claim 10, rounds the thigh of the wearer for stabilizing itsreand wherein a pair of shoulder straps are connected spective one ofsaid Sets of elastic means. at front ends to said pelvic belt, extendtherefrom 8. An article for simulating gravitational mass loadover theshoulders of the wearer along said shoulder ings on the body comprisingpad, and are again connected at free ends to said a pelvic belt adaptedto be worn around the waist, belt at the rear of the wearer, so thatsaid shoulder a plurality of straps connected to said belt and exstrapslimit the extent to which said torso tensors tending downwardlytherefrom, can be tensioned. said straps respectively having free endsterminating at the inner sides and outer sides of the legs, ReferencesCited a plurality of stretchable elastic leg tensors respectively UNITEDSTATES PATENTS connected to said free ends of said straps and extendingtherefrom respectively along the inner sides 975454 11/1910 2441,544,162 6/1925 LaVlgne 12880 and outer sides of the legs, and footstirrup means engaging the feet, said foot 1548711 8/1925 Cooper 128' 80stirrup means including means extending along the 11/1926 McNabb 128 80sides of the legs and connected to said leg tensors 1663641 3/1928Smanwood 272 80 for maintaining the latter under tension at least 402097376 10/1937 Marshman 272 8O when the wearer is standing, so that thelegs of the 3099261 7/1963 Doss ct 128 1'O1 wearer are subjected to alongitudinal compressive FOREIGN PATENTS force, and leg means connectedwith said belt to re- 488,296 9/1918 France sist upward movement of thepelvic unit. 296,110 1/1917 Germany. 9. An article as recited in claim8, 204581 V1923 Great Britairh and wherein a pair of leg tensorstabilizing belts are connected to the free ends of said straps and areadapted respectively to completely encircle the upper leg portions ofthe wearer for stabilizing the leg tensors with respect to said legportions. 10. An article for simulating gravitational mass loadings onthe body comprising OTHER REFERENCES Douglas ad Newsweek, Sept. 26,1955.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

R. L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ARTICLE FOR SIMULATING GRAVITATIONAL MASS LOADINGS ON THE BODYCOMPRISING A PELVIC UNIT ADAPTED TO BE WORN ON THE PELVIC AREA, ANDMEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SUCH PELVIC UNIT AND ADAPTED TO BEAPPLIED TO A PORTION OF THE BODY OF THE WEARER TO APPLY A CONSTANTLONGITUDINAL COMPRESSIVE FORCE TO THE APPLIED PORTION OF THE BODY OF THEWEARER BETWEEN THE PELVIC UNIT AND SAID MEANS CONNECTED THERETO, ANDWHEREIN SAID PELVIC UNIT INCLUDES A PELVIC BELT ADAPTED TO COMPLETELYENCIRCLE THE WAIST AND LEG MEANS CONNECTED AT EACH END OF SAID BELT ANDEXTENDING THEREFROM ABOUT A RESPECTIVE ONE OF THE LEGS OF THE WEARER,SAID BELT RESISTING LONGITUDINAL DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID LEG MEANS ANDSAID LEG MEANS RESISTING LONGITUDINAL UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID BELT TOSTABILIZE SAID PELVIC UNIT ABOUT THE PELVIC AREA.